JAY-JAY'S POV
"Pay me now!" Ci-N shouted at Drew.
Drew scratched his head violently before reaching into his pocket. He got a peso and handed it to Batang Kumag.
"Oh there! Next time it's 7." He said turning his back.
Jusme! Only eight pesos were poured.
This man is having a hard time in life. Fortunately, he handed me his deposit for the day. 5 pesos.
"Jay." Yuri called me. "Shall we continue later?"
"I thought you had a walk?"
"I can postpone that for you."
"Damn, I hope everything is postponed." I said and he laughed.
"Where are you going?" Ci asked who suddenly appeared in front of us.
Yuri and I were still together, which surprised him. His eyes and nostrils were still wide as he looked at us from side to side.
"You look good." I commented but he ignored me.
"Where to? I'll come with you."
I winced quickly. He can't come. I look at Yuri to ask for help but obviously he can't think of anything either. I signaled him to talk to Batang Kumag. Fortunately, he immediately got what I wanted to convey.
He got serious and straightened up. "Sorry, but you can't come." He said, it's like I saw the former Yuri arguing with me.
Ci was embarrassed like a child. I thought he would be angry with us but he didn't react. He approached David who was currently sleeping. He gently pushed him to wake him up.
"Oh?" David asked with annoyance.
"Yuri is fighting with me." He commanded like a child.
I wanted to laugh at the looks of both of them. It was obvious that the other one didn't care because he immediately went back to pounding to sleep.
"O David! Defend me! I thought you defeated?"
Ci-N scolded him.
Yuri simply held my hand. I looked at him and he motioned for me to come out. I simply followed him while the two were busy flirting.
"Why?" I asked him.
"Buy us. Free me." He swung our hands to hold each other.
I laughed at him for nothing. He smiled sweetly at me which ended in laughter.
That's how it should be!
I prefer to see his smile. Even though he doesn't want to admit that he has a problem, I can see it in his appearance. But I prefer if he tells me whatever he thinks.
We walked to the cafeteria without letting go of each other's hands. We are like besties taking a walk in the park.
S-swing swing. S-swing swing.
And because of what we do, it is inevitable that we will be met with gossiping eyes. There are others who mock me and seem to hate me. The one who took our photo will not be lost either.
Go ahead! Kodak more!
"I'm beautiful." I whispered and Yuri looked at me. "They are jealous because I'm beautiful."
They laughed softly. "Sure. You're beautiful." He said making my smile widen. "But I'm better." He added while parting what seemed to be long hair.
I winced and immediately punched him in the stomach. He stopped and bent down at the same time as he took my punch.
"You and Kit are siblings." I said and he still managed to laugh despite the merchandise. "When is that?"
He fixed us while still holding his stomach. He was still stretching while grimacing.
"What? Answer."
"When you bashed me. I just pretended to be a sibling." He said with a goofy smile.
My eyes widened as I couldn't believe what he said.
It's gone.
"There is still a way for me to be Yuri handsome again." He said and snorted.
"What are you? Are you crazy?" My reaction to him was a mixture of annoyance and laughter.
"Just one. Just quick." He laughed and snorted even longer.
I was going to hit him but because of his appearance I just laughed out loud. Even he laughed.
Our simple teasing like this makes me forget the real situation. That there is a new threat to our lives. With another enemy waiting for us. That even though I don't want it, something is slowly peeking into my memories. That no matter how Yuri smiles and laughs, I know he has a problem.
Simple laughter and teasing is the only way we can enjoy life here at school, in case there are people who are really related to demons and are happy to destroy other people's simple happiness.
"I thought she was with Watson!"
"Oh girl, that's really flirty."
"Long hair. You'll get pregnant right away."
"Maybe he bet rich people."
Our laughter was cut short by the gossip that seemed to be heard on purpose. I just held my breath. I said, they are jealous of my beauty.
"Don't pay attention." Yuri said.
"Who should I ignore?! The Chimpanzees we're talking about now?! The monkeys with their nostrils bulging from gossiping?! The Orangutans who are thirsty for attention?! Is it them? Is it them?!" I purposely made it stronger to make those lazy monkeys with lip tint hear that they will make the baseless judgment even more ugly.
Yuri scratched the back of his neck. "They're gone."
I smiled sweetly. "Good." I said and walked to the cafeteria.
Yuri followed me. I just shake my head at the people we meet who look at us differently. It's good that they have a lot of time that can be wasted thinking about something with us.
Jealous!
Even if I want to scold them all, my tiredness with them will be wasted. They are the type of people who have a lot to say about whatever their partner does. Even breathing oxygen will harm them.
When we entered the cafeteria, the noisy and chaotic students greeted us, but my attention was not on them.
What's on the menu, Kumare?
I almost joined the queue in my haste to take a look at the menu. Fortunately, Yuri pulled me and brought me to the right queue
"Don't mess up." He ordered while holding both of my arms.
"Wait a minute. I can't see the menu." I said while trying to look at the menu in front. "There should be a menu here. It's hard to look up." I still complain.
Add the long curly hair of the girl in front of me. I can smell the conditioner on her loving face.
"You're so small you can't see me."
I was shocked by what she said. I faced her and hit her but he dodged. I was going to say it again but Yuri grabbed both of my hands. I tried to pull away and because of the flirting we were doing, I accidentally hit the girl in front of me earlier.
"What the hell?!" The girl said sharply that we both stopped.
Why did we meet here?
The girl who looked like a coloring book faced us again because of the thickness of the make up. I winced when our eyes met. She removed the wireless earphones and crossed her arms.
"Seriously? You don't choose a place to hang out?" Freya replied with an announced face.
I quickly looked away from her. I didn't even move and moved slightly away. I hugged Yuri and whispered. "Let's buy something."
He looked at the queue. "Wait, there's a long line."
Freya snapped her finger in front of us. "Am I a ghost? How dare you ignore me?"
I face her with my hand on my neck, still not looking at her in the face. I can't help it and I might just get more irritated with her. I still can't get over the chat between her and Aries in Chat. Her request for money from KEI-kwanan. The things she did and said.
It pains me every time I think that the King of Snakes is involved in what is happening to her. Isn't it enough that they have an ex? Have they become less? Should KEI-kwanan still be involved? I can even get past their past but being involved in each other's present, alas! That's a different story.
"We didn't mean it. It won't happen again." I said no life.
She didn't speak so I thought it was okay, but when I looked up, she was staring intently at Yuri. I looked at the person next to me and I felt him holding my hand. Freya looked down at our hand and laughed bitterly.
"You already have Keifer and now you still have Yuri. Wow. Just wow." She said sarcastically and left.
Wow, Magic! Sing!
Yuri and I looked at each other. Both have no clue as to what her problem is. We just went back to the queue because many people seemed to be angry at our scene. We were both silent until we bought food. I lost my appetite because of what happened so I only bought three burgers and a can of coke.
"Yuri..." I called him while walking.
I don't know if it's right for me to ask him, but he's the only one I know who has been with the King of Snakes longer - of course they're besties. I have trust in him so I feel comfortable asking and telling him a problem.
"Did you know Keifer gives Freya money?" I asked and based on his reaction, he knew very well.
"Jay... Because-."
"You don't need to explain. I just need an answer." I said and continued walking.
But there is something else that bothers me. I stopped walking again before biting the burger I was holding. I faced Yuri who was currently drinking coke.
"W-why?" He suddenly asked.
I chewed the contents of my mouth well before swallowing it and spoke "Do you know the man Freya is crazy about?" I asked.
I could see the slight softening of his reaction which was replaced by surprise.
"Crazy?" He asked with surprise.
"You already know that word! There is a man in her life who still has something right!" I said annoyed before biting into the burger again.
He shook his head as if he really didn't know anything about what I was saying. I almost threw a stone at the burger out of annoyance, but I immediately remembered that food is more important than annoyance.
I thought he knew something because besides being Freya's cell, he was also the one who got the jitters. I stopped again when I had something to think about.
They say Freya is a different person now. Far away. She became that way because she was passed around by friends. What if the Freya back then still had self-esteem? She won't just give herself to a man who isn't hers....
"Too expensive." I said without realizing it while staring at Yuri.
Those on Aries' messenger came back to me. How she thought she might be pregnant, the date of that time and the events in our lives at that time. I'm still engaged to Yuri but there's Keifer who's acting fake, were they still seeing each other?
"Too expensive? Do you want me?" He said jokingly and laughed.
I laughed even though I was obviously trying. "Rice is too expensive, it's hard to say."
He ruffled my hair before putting his arms around me. We walked back to the room together. I want to clarify what I'm thinking but I might be offended by what I'll get to know.
I chose to keep quiet even though I was very disturbed. I almost put down what we bought when we got to the room. That's good because someone will probably steal my food.
I caught Ci-N still teasing David but still ignoring him. We almost used up our lunch break because that's what they do.
The class went well the whole afternoon but something else was running through my mind. The possibility that Yuri is really the man that Freya is crazy about, and now Freya is angry.
I almost didn't realize that our last class was over if Yuri hadn't approached me and hugged me. He smiled sweetly at me. I also smiled to reciprocate that but it was not as sweet as he could give. I arranged my things and accompanied him to walk.
"Be careful!" Edrix said goodbye before going out the door.
"Be careful too-." I couldn't finish what I was going to say because of Ci-N suddenly grabbed my thigh.
"I'M GOING WITH YOU!" He shouted loudly.
David and Yuri came quickly to separate him from me.
"What?! Let go!" I shouted as I tried to loosen him. Because of his tight grip I almost fell. I reached for the door jamb to get my balance.
"Hey! There's a tarsier!" Josh laughed and pointed at Ci-N as he passed in front of us.
Maybe you want to help?
David slapped Batang Kumag's arm and hand just to let go. He looked like he was hurt so he tried to resist the beating as well.
"It hurts! It hurts!" He shouted as he retaliated with a blow.
Yuri got a chance to grab his arm. David did the same with his legs.
"Waaaagggg! I'M GOING WITH JAY-JAY!" He shouted as he slowly separated from my leg.
I almost cursed out loud when I saw the scars on my leg and thigh because of his clinging.
"I'm coming with you. Jay-jay. I'm coming." Ci repeatedly asked and started to cry.
David grabbed him from behind so he couldn't catch up.
"Sorry, it's really not possible." I said and forced a smile before quickly running away.
Yuri followed me, running even faster, thanks to his long legs. We just stopped when we arrived at the parking lot. We were both panting from exhaustion and hot. period. I'm not even 18 but my body is 70. I also grabbed my hip while gasping for air.
"I'm tired." He said before taking his car keys.
"Have you said goodbye to Angelo yet?"
"Yes. Just be careful." I answered.
He opened the car door for me. When I got in, he immediately closed the door and went around to the other side to get into the driver's seat.
"Did you say goodbye to Aries?" He asked again before closing the door and starting the car.
I nodded but I couldn't hide that there was a problem with letting Aries know. Because of what happened to me yesterday and in the hospital when it didn't go out of his mind that it might happen again.
He said I might hyperventilate again.
It would be good if that was all I could experience, maybe not. What I heard talked about by Kuya Angelo, Doctor Claudia Peralta and a doctor who checked my vitals was clearer than the sun's rays.
It wasn't just hyperkems that happened to me because my blood pressure and heart rate suddenly dropped in minutes. My temperature also increased which scared them. That's why I woke up with my oxygen mask and some kind of device.
The doctor explained to another doctor when it happened to me in his clinic. The answer of the doctor he was talking to was not clear to me, but I heard what he said clearly.
'Her body might be having some sort of transition. If what you said is correct, the patient has a rare case of PTSD, her body can sympathize. I would suggest not to force her brain to remember, her body might not be able to handle it.'
I'm afraid that if my memories keep coming back, something bad will happen to me or my body. And what if when I return that all my memories repeat what I'm doing when I see blood? I can't help but be afraid.
"Are you okay?" Yuri asked, bringing me back to my trance.
"O-oo. I just have a thought."
"Do you want it next time?"
I shook my head quickly. "It's nothing. It doesn't matter what I think."
He didn't say anything but I knew he was worried. We were quiet during the flight but every now and then he would ask questions that I would answer.
It also took less than an hour before we reached our destination-thanks to the traffic. Yuri and I got out of the car together. I looked at the newly built house. Not like our last guest, the surroundings are neat and clean.
"Does your mom live here?" Yuri asked.
"Yes, She is with her new Husband." I had no answer before ringing the doorbell.
I pressed two buttons before the door opened and Mama came in, still wearing an apron.
"Jay?" She asked as she approached.
She immediately opened the small gate and hugged me. Her excitement to see me was obvious. It took a long time before I returned her hug. "Why did you come?" She looked at me and Yuri while smiling. "Come on, Let's talk inside." She called us inside.
We followed her in. It was Yuri who closed the small gate. Entering the house, I immediately noticed the new things. It's not like the first time we went where it was mostly sofas and tables.
"Sit down. You were right when I was cooking." She said and went straight to the kitchen.
I put down my bag while Yuri sat on the sofa. We looked at each other for a moment and he smiled as if he was telling me to talk to Mama. Even though I hesitated, I did it anyway. My feet were heavy and I walked closer to her.
I really don't want to remember anything from my past. So even though the image of Mama that I saw yesterday is bothering me, I'm not there to ask her that. I am here for a different reason.
"Mom." I called her while standing behind her.
She turned to me for a moment before returning to what she was cooking. "I'll just finish it for a moment."
"I have something I want to ask."
"Alright, what's that?" She answered without looking at me.
"Is it true that you didn't know that Papa was married when you met?"
She was stunned and quickly put down the ladle and potholder she was holding. She slowly faced me with a look of shock and anger on her face.
"From whom did you learn that? Was it from Reycee's son?"
She was referring to Percy.
"He didn't say anything to me. Just answer. Please."
She sighed. "Will anything change even if I didn't know he was married? I still became a fixture."
She turned back and went back to what she was cooking.
"There is." I answered but she ignored me. "The things I told you." I almost whispered.
I almost didn't realize that my tears fell on their own. I was ashamed of myself and her when I found out that she didn't know that Papa was married. It's true that it won't change that she became a fixture, but she didn't like it.
I'm mad at Mom. I feel bad for her not only because of her shortcomings. But I hate myself more because no matter how much I hate her, I'm still looking for her in my mind and heart. That no matter how painful her slaps were, I silently asked her to hug me afterwards.
Now I thought that there are still things I don't know about her. There is something that is still not really clear due to the lack of explanation. And even if it should be buried in oblivion, I still can't because I still need an answer.
And because of the memories that came back to me. I'm starting to fear that when everyone comes back, I won't be able to handle it and she won't be there because I pushed her away.
I was still looking at Mama's back. I know she heard what I said and it hurts me now that she won't face me.
"S-sorry." I said calmly but my tears didn't stop.
The soft sobs gradually grew louder. My low moan grew louder to a roar. And the feeble apology turned into a plea.
"Sorry, Mom. Sorry." I said between sobs. "It shouldn't be, I called you ka-."
I felt her wipe my face violently. "Don't cry. Don't be sorry. You have the right to be angry." Her voice was broken and even though I didn't look at her, I knew that her tears were starting to fall. "Stop crying."
"Mama..."
I never heard her answer. The only way she used to hug me tightly was to let me know that she was hurting too.
I am ready to give her a chance. If she is also willing to answer my questions.